Docs: Man charged with roommate's murder on Indy's east side

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indy man is facing a murder charge after police say he killed his roommate following an argument on Indy's east side last week.




According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Marion Superior Court on July 16, Abdul-Malik Banks has been preliminarily charged with murder in connection to the death of Shawnnetta Small on July 11.




Officers responded to the 1500 block of N. Downey Avenue after receiving a report that a disturbance had occurred between two roommates. The caller, who court documents identified as Small, reported that her roommate had assaulted her on the head. Small went on to state that the roommate, who police confirmed to be Banks, was "talking sh** about her not paying rent," court documents detailed.




Before the call ended, Small reportedly told dispatch that Banks had a gun in his possession and that she wanted him to be arrested for the alleged assault. Small could be heard telling someone standing near her that, "You're going to jail."




Officers arrived a short time later and were met at the door by another woman. While officers were waiting for Small to come to the front door, they reportedly observed a shirtless man exit the rear door of the home while carrying a television. Banks was also seen wearing tan pants that appeared to have "stains" on them.




When police confronted him, Banks reportedly told them that he broke his TV because he got mad after playing a video game and throwing a controller at it.




A few minutes later, as police were instructing everyone to exit the residence so they could investigate, Banks allegedly drove off in a 2016 silver Audi that had been parked outside the residence.




Officers proceeded to search through the seven-bedroom house. When they entered what they believed to be Banks' room, they reportedly found an extended firearms magazine and marijuana in the same room.




Police then entered a different room where they discovered Small's body. Court documents show that she appeared to be suffering from a stab wound to her neck. The Marion County Coroner's Office later ruled Small's death a homicide and confirmed that she was killed by a gunshot wound.




Court documents show that police recovered a spent shell casing, an extended magazine, a holster, a pepper spray and a box cutter from the scene.




Officers then detained four individuals, including Banks, for additional questions. As part of their investigation, detectives spoke with a woman who confirmed that she also resided at the home. She told them that Small and Banks lived in separate rooms on the same floor.




She recalled being in her room when Banks knocked on her door and claimed that Small had "smeared sh** on him" and that she also allegedly spat on him following an argument. The woman said she then heard Small allegedly threaten Banks with a gun. The woman then returned to her room when she heard a "loud boom."




She recalled seeing Banks come upstairs while telling her that Small had just broken his TV. The witness claimed Banks then left the scene. Another witness claimed Small was yelling at Banks and calling him slurs, court documents said.




At one point, the witness said that Banks urged her to leave, but she decided to stay. The witness then asked Banks what happened and he allegedly told her that "it is best that she not know."




Other witnesses who were inside the home at the time of the incident confirmed that Banks and Small were the only residents downstairs when the loud boom was heard.




Detectives then interviewed Banks to learn his side of the story. Court documents show that he initially denied having any tensions with Small. But when detectives pushed him further, Banks reportedly admitted that he did have an argument with her. Following the argument, Banks said he came downstairs and found his TV and vases broken.




He claimed Small threatened to use pepper spray on him. He then recalled leaving the residence and heading to a pawn shop to try and purchase a new TV. According to Banks, he returned to a short time later to find police outside the home and he was taken into custody.




According to online court records, Banks is scheduled to appear in Marion Superior Court 30 for his jury trial on Sept. 22.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/docs-man-charged-with-roommates-murder-on-indys-east-side/